Does Social Networking Change the Game in Ethics? #socbiz #ibmsocialbiz #ls12

The Ethics Resource Center released its latest National Business Ethics Survey (NBES) <http://bit.ly/ERCnbes>, which takes an in-depth look at the shifts in ethical behavior within the workplace, with a specific focus on how social networkers are changing the game.  In fact, the report reveals a surprising and worrisome divide in ethical workplace experiences between employees who spend substantial time on social networks, and those who do not.
 
Key Social Media Findings:
* Active social networkers spend at least 30 percent of their work day on social networking activities. Approximately 11% of employees who engage in social networking are “active.”
* Active social networkers are far more likely to experience pressure to compromise standards (42 percent vs. 11 percent) and to experience retaliation for reporting misconduct (56 percent vs. 18 percent) than co-workers who are less involved with social networking.
* However, active social networkers are also more likely to report lapses in corporate ethics.
* Active users of social networks are much more likely than non-networking colleagues to accept behaviors that have traditionally been considered to be “questionable” or marginal behaviors (e.g., keeping copies of confidential work documents for use in a future job, personal use of the company credit card, taking home company software).
* Many active social networkers indicated a willingness to publicly share less than flattering information about their workplace and colleagues.